Yesterday coming south on I-75 from Gainesville my wife and I decided to leave the Interstate and take a more laid-back route on some older Florida roads. As it was approaching dusk, the wife pulled out the map and switched on the passenger side map light. The light came on just fine, but after about 5 minutes had faded significantly and then went out completely. We switched the light off, waited about half an hour then switched it back on, and it was working again.

It seems that the light bulb may get too hot for the socket if kept on too long. Anyone else notice similar behavior from these lights, or do I just have a bad bulb?

were u not able to turn it right back on immediately after it went out? maybe it's a safety timer so u don't accidentally keep driving while the cabin light is on? i will have to try it in my 8 next time...

this another one of those design things that the germans do so well. whenever parking lights and/ or headlights are on, my beamer has an always-on amber map light just above the gear box. it's fine-tuned so perfectly that it's only noticeable and just enough reading light when u move the map right directly beneath the beam...

I'm just guessing but, try checking your fuse.